Under the Dome: March 27-30

This was the first day of three different public hearings in various standing committees between the House and Senate focused on creating law enforcement Task Forces to train and establish sting operations for adults using internet based tactics to locate and sexually abuse minor victims.

NOTE: This idea of a state wide Task Force would greatly benefit rural communities with little to no financial resources for such programs. Funding for these Task Forces must be appropriated through separate bills comprising the state budget. Pray for passage of both the Task Force initiative and the funding for the program!

TUESDAY, March 28, 2006

Tuesday evening marked a total of over twelve hours of public testimony on HB 1944. HB 1944 is expected to be the main bill to address eminent domain abuse. House Judiciary Chairman Brian Pratt took a very commendable position; everyone, absolutely everyone, who wanted to testify about eminent domain was given time. Grandparents, parents, the young and the old alike were put on equal ground with the high dollar lobbyists.

HJR 46, sponsored by Representative Ed Emery, was introduced in the Special Committee on General Laws. The intent of HJR 46, would change the way judicial impeachments are handled. Currently, judicial impeachments are tried by a panel of Judges, and basically handled by a ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‹Å“peer reviewÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ type process. The only problem with this system is; other that a retention vote every twelve years, Judges have basically no accountability to the people. Historically, Judges are very insulated and are politically untouchable. Their ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‹Å“peer reviewÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ process reportedly works very well, but we wouldnÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t know would we?

HJR 46 would cut through the red tape, and hold Judges directly accountable. In short HJR 46 would place the impeachment of judges under the jurisdiction of the State Senate.

The House Higher Education Committee voted to ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œdo passÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â a bill sponsored by Representative Peter Meyers, to require college students to have basic American History proficiency. (Expect the politically correct crowd to fight this one.)

Religious Left ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ Pro-Abortion Lobby Day

Hundreds of pro-abortion activists gathered in your state capitol to pressure your lawmakers on a number of pro-abortion and tax funded contraceptives for anyone who asks, including minors without parental consent!

Clergy for Choice Network

Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice

National Organization for Women (NOW)

Planned Parenthood

Missouri WomenÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s Coalition

WomenÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s Voices

WEDNESDAY, March 29, 2006

The Senate committee on Economic Development and Local Government heard Senator Matt BartleÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s bill SB 1151. When the legislature created the ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œQuality Jobs ActÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â (a program that provides a tax break as an incentive for job creation) Senator Bartle included a provision that would exclude Casinos and other gambling institutions from receiving a tax break because they hired a new card dealer.

But the Casino industry managed to find a loophole, deliberately violating the intent of the law. They (Casinos) applied for the tax credit by hiring people at their corporate offices, and other offsite facilities. They received the tax credit (to the tune of $2.4 million), even thou they are affiliates and a part of the same company. SB 1151 would sew up this loop hole, and keep these Casinos from abusing the system.

PROMO – Homosexual Rights Day at the Capital

(Personal Rights of Missourians)

(aclu.org/getequal)

Every year the homosexual organization PROMO has a lobby day at our State Capital.

After bussing in 200+ homosexual activists and public school students, this homosexual advocacy group started their day attending a rally in the rotunda, and visiting the legislature.

The way they flaunt their lifestyle is a reminder of how cancerous our culture is.

THURSDAY, March 30, 2006

Thursday brought about a big legislative surprise when Senate appropriations chairman, Senator Chuck Gross, introduced an unexpected bill designed to protect supplemental state revenues from abuse.

As the state, following the directive of Gov. Blunt, sets out to sell off certain MOHELA assets (the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority) the profits would not be bound by normal state revenue restrictions and/or guidelines. Under Senator GrossÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ bill, these revenues could not be used to fund any abortion services or ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œembryonic stem cell researchÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â in violation of ethical standards.